Solar charger advice

holidaychicken · Mar 19, 2015

Hi People, me again, and not sticking my oar in other peoples business for once.

I have a 2004 4.4 petrol which is in need of extra battery power as I am fitting some additional security shall we say and I would like to use a solar charger.

I may consider fitting an entirely separate battery but I thought I would try and run the equipment off the cars own battery first but as it can stand for one or two weeks without starting it's a bit much to ask without the additional charger.

I have had a read through the threads on here but they are quite old and I have seen a 15w solar charger from Maplins which also mentions needing an additional regulator and then one on Ebay says it has a resistor so doesn't need a regulator which sounds dubious.

The question is, has anyone got one already up and working and am I going to fry any ECUs or worse, torch my whole car thus negating the requirement for extra security ?

Any advice much appreciated as always.

tarphenry · Mar 19, 2015

If you are using the solar panel purely to charge the battery, I cannot see that it would cause any damage to any electronic component. the one I have used has a separate controller . it has been working on my vehicle(a Transit ) for well over a year.

Datatek · Mar 19, 2015

holidaychicken said:
Hi People, me again, and not sticking my oar in other peoples business for once.

I have a 2004 4.4 petrol which is in need of extra battery power as I am fitting some additional security shall we say and I would like to use a solar charger.

I may consider fitting an entirely separate battery but I thought I would try and run the equipment off the cars own battery first but as it can stand for one or two weeks without starting it's a bit much to ask without the additional charger.

I have had a read through the threads on here but they are quite old and I have seen a 15w solar charger from Maplins which also mentions needing an additional regulator and then one on Ebay says it has a resistor so doesn't need a regulator which sounds dubious.

The question is, has anyone got one already up and working and am I going to fry any ECUs or worse, torch my whole car thus negating the requirement for extra security ?

Any advice much appreciated as always.

I have 3 up and working with regulators. Not too expensive and will keep you battery charged whatever the weather. I can give you links if you want.

holidaychicken · Mar 19, 2015

Thanks for the replies and yes please on the links.
I am adding a 12V DVR and a mini camera initially maybe two cameras.
Thank you

dolphinboy · Mar 19, 2015

Mine has a second battery stored in the rear right pocket where the detachable tow hook container normally goes. This has been a huge God-send and I have never suffered any battery issues in nearly 3 years!

chopper007 · Mar 19, 2015

i'd like the link to the solar chargers please, have thought of it for mine when i'm away for a couple weeks or more..

cheers Datatek

Datatek · Mar 19, 2015

Link for solar chargers, unfortunately the 20 watt panels I use are currently out of stock.
NEW 12volt Energy Plus Poly Solar Panels - 20w/40w/50w/80w/100w/120w/140w 12v | eBay
Remember, a 20 watt panel wil only get near to 20 watts on a clear sunny day, this panel will produce at least 50ma even on a cloudy day.

Link for charge controller,
Solar Charge Controller Panel Battery Regulator Safe 10A 12V/24V UK STOCK | eBay

holidaychicken · Mar 19, 2015

Datatek said:
Link for solar chargers, unfortunately the 20 watt panels I use are currently out of stock.
NEW 12volt Energy Plus Poly Solar Panels - 20w/40w/50w/80w/100w/120w/140w 12v | eBay
Remember, a 20 watt panel wil only get near to 20 watts on a clear sunny day, this panel will produce at least 50ma even on a cloudy day.

Link for charge controller,
Solar Charge Controller Panel Battery Regulator Safe 10A 12V/24V UK STOCK | eBay

Top man, that's perfect, i am going to get one of those big buggers and swap out my sun roof.

Is there anything stopping me having the larger wattage panels apart from the size they take up?

Thanks very much

kooky_guy · Mar 20, 2015

Datatek said:
I have 3 up and working with regulators. Not too expensive and will keep you battery charged whatever the weather. I can give you links if you want.

Where have you put them Keith?

I had a cheap Maplin one for a while but it didn't seem to do anything to help the battery so I bought a maintenance charger instead. Not an option where it is at the moment though as no mains.

Is a regulator necessary?

holidaychicken · Mar 20, 2015

dolphinboy said:
Mine has a second battery stored in the rear right pocket where the detachable tow hook container normally goes. This has been a huge God-send and I have never suffered any battery issues in nearly 3 years!

I missed this post earlier, is your battery connected to a solar charger or does it charge off the alternator ?
How is it wired in to the existing battery ?
Cheers

Datatek · Mar 20, 2015

holidaychicken said:
Top man, that's perfect, i am going to get one of those big buggers and swap out my sun roof.

Is there anything stopping me having the larger wattage panels apart from the size they take up?

Thanks very much

Go as big as you like with the controller, but 20 watt is all that is needed

Datatek · Mar 20, 2015

kooky_guy said:
Where have you put them Keith?

I had a cheap Maplin one for a while but it didn't seem to do anything to help the battery so I bought a maintenance charger instead. Not an option where it is at the moment though as no mains.

Is a regulator necessary?

I have 2 mounted on the posts that support the lean to where my cars live, the third hangs in the back window of the Transit and is a smaller 12 watt unit. A charge controller is certainly necessary for 12 watts and above in summer.
I can do photo's if you wish

domino · Mar 20, 2015

I have the exact same setup though it's for lighting and other bits in the shed and garden.

Those panels are really quite good.

holidaychicken · Mar 20, 2015

Datatek said:
Go as big as you like with the controller, but 20 watt is all that is needed

Great, i'll get it ordered up when they are back in stock. my 12v DVR turned up today, just waiting on delivery of the camera to test it

Nicktrackside · Mar 21, 2015

Do solar chargers work if left inside the car? I ask because the glass is UV reflective?

Datatek · Mar 21, 2015

Nicktrackside said:
Do solar chargers work if left inside the car? I ask because the glass is UV reflective?

Yes, I have one in the rear window of my Transit and I put one propped up on the rear parcel shelf of the P38 if I leave it for a long time.

The glass does reduce the output.

holidaychicken · Mar 21, 2015

That's part of my master plan to leave one on my dashboard, if not i'll have to get a 'nice' rear spoiler made of solar panels

Datatek · Mar 22, 2015

holidaychicken said:
That's part of my master plan to leave one on my dashboard, if not i'll have to get a 'nice' rear spoiler made of solar panels

Works better on the rear parcel shelf, you can set it up at a good angle to the sun.

holidaychicken · Mar 22, 2015

Datatek said:
Works better on the rear parcel shelf, you can set it up at a good angle to the sun.

The back end of my car has the blacked out windows, well pretty dark, which is how it was when i bought it but it does kind of suit it being the Java black.

Blacked out windows must have been the 'seasons must have' for drug dealers in 2004

Datatek · Mar 22, 2015

holidaychicken said:
The back end of my car has the blacked out windows, well pretty dark, which is how it was when i bought it but it does kind of suit it being the Java black.

Blacked out windows must have been the 'seasons must have' for drug dealers in 2004

Not good for solar then

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